End of the Innocence

Chapter 31

While she’d often pretended to know a lot about Brad De Luca, there was only one thing she did know. And that was that he needed, with a primal urge that oversaw any rational thought process, to please a woman. Sex with him was not selfish; it was an extension of his soul, and he showed everything through it. Anger, happiness, love, and compassion. If she needed him, he would be there for her. It was in every ounce of his DNA. Alexis met his eyes and let out a sigh, spreading her fingers and begging with her eyes.

“Alexis.” Brad’s eyes closed briefly, an insult, and she closed her own eyes in response, dropping back her head and exposing her neck to him. She moaned in response, her legs closing slightly before opening again. He would open his eyes, he would look at, admire, want her. He had to.

“Alexis, please put on some clothes.” There was a tremor in his voice, and she tried not to smile. Yes, she may not know his parents, or his dog’s name, or how he liked his steak cooked, but she knew men, and she knew Brad. He would start with fingers, start with making her come, but that would only be the beginning. He would not be able to stop, his arousal at her orgasm making him pliable, vulnerable. She may lose the war, but she would win this battle.

Footsteps, moving closer, and then he stood, between her legs, his scent making her mouth water, a new rush of moisture between her legs. She opened her eyes and moaned, her legs shaking slightly and reached out with one leg, hooking it around his thigh and pulling him closer.

“Alexis—”

“Shhh. Don’t say anything, Brad. Just please. Please give me what I need.”

♦♦♦

The masseuse’s fingers stopped their tease over my back and moved, trailing down the edge of my side, growing more aggressive as they reached the bottom of the sheet, dipping slightly underneath the fabric before gripping it.

Then he spoke, his voice unexpected in the candlelight darkness. “Ms. Campbell, may I remove the sheet?”

I swallowed, trying to bring some moisture to my dry mouth, then spoke, all offhanded casualness gone. “Yes. Please.”

He tugged on the sheet drawing it slowly down the length of my lower half, every inch of exposure one more step down the staircase of desire. Then, it was off, my ass and body fully exposed to him, and I heard his breath quicken in the quiet bedroom.

♦♦♦

Brad stared down at the woman, his brain competing wildly with his cock. She moaned beneath him, very near to orgasm, her leg around him, body flushed, fingers slick, hips grinding slightly. If he placed his hand on her chest he’d feel her heart, beating with need; if he slid his hand over hers, replaced her fingers with his, she’d collapse beneath his touch. It would be so easy, so quick, her heat quivering tightly around his fingers, her release perfect. He could do it with his fingers alone. No mouth, no cock. Julia could have her legs wrapped around Tyler right now, his cock inside of her, his mouth on hers. Just the thought of it made him hard, which was a dangerous transition right now. Sarah, or Alexis, or whatever she wanted to be called, didn’t regard sex as anything but an act. He could take care of her quickly, reassure her, end this, and then leave.

No. He fought an inner battle with himself, pulling his leg from her, taking several steps away. Then forced his eyes to hers, his voice to strengthen. “What are you trying to do, Sarah?”

“It’s Alexis. You know that.”

“I didn’t come here for this.”

She closed her eyes briefly, her fingers continuing their movement. When she spoke, her words were more breath than articulation. “Whether you came for it or not, it is something you will always need.”

“No.” The strength in his voice caused her to open her eyes. “Sarah, you and I have history, which is why I came to speak to you in person. I will always be your friend, but any sexual relationship is officially over.”

“Over.” She propped herself up, met his eyes, and spat out the word, disbelief in her tone.

“Yes. Over. That’s how it has to be.”

She exhaled, standing, her long legs accentuated by the heels, and walked across the room until she stood before him. “You and I will never be over, Brad. We are cut from the same cloth; we are two sides of the same coin. You and her ... she will never please you in all the ways that you need it.”

He placed his hands gently on her shoulders. “Sarah, don’t presume to know me because we have fucked in the past. I assure you that I know exactly what I am doing, and Julia is exactly what I need. Don’t presume to know anything about her either; she doesn’t deserve that.” His voice softened a bit. “Your job at Saffire isn’t going anywhere. I just wanted to let you know that I am marrying Julia, and our relationship has to change as a result. Friends are all we can ever be now.”

She bristled at his soft tone, crossing her hands over her chest and glaring at him. “I’m not a child, Brad. I don’t need you to sugarcoat it. You want to make a huge mistake with your life, go ahead.” She turned, grabbing a robe from the couch and shrugged into it.

“I’m sorry you feel that way.”

She stopped in front of him, her eyes searching his before she turned away, her shoulders stiff under the red silk. “You can show yourself out,” she called over her shoulder.